Single-digit murders last week as homicides fall 29 per cent
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Jamaica’s murder rate has declined by 29 per cent up to March 14, according to the latest crime statistics published by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), with the country recording single-digit killings last week.
The police say the homicide tally now stands at 113.
This compares with 160 murders during the corresponding period last year.
The police say the current statistics represent a continuation of the downward trend in major crimes.
Police data show that eight homicides were recorded during the week of March 8 to 14, a notable shift from the double-digit weekly figures recorded throughout the entire month of February.
The latest figures come amid broader declines across several categories of serious crime.
Despite the overall reduction, some divisions continue to account for a significant share of the killings so far this year.
St James leads the country with 16 murders, followed by St Andrew South with 13 and Clarendon with 11.
Manchester has recorded nine murders, including a double killing on Saturday night when two people were shot dead at a bar.
St Elizabeth and St Ann each have seven murders, rounding out the divisions with the highest tallies.
At the other end of the spectrum, Kingston Central and St Andrew North remain murder-free since the start of the year, according to the latest police statistics.
The data also show improvements in other major crime categories.
Overall, major crimes are down by 24 per cent, with declines recorded in shootings, injured persons, rapes, robberies and break-ins compared with the corresponding period last year.
The latest figures continue a trend highlighted by the police high command in recent weeks, as law enforcement authorities point to intensified operations and targeted policing strategies aimed at curbing violent crime across the island.
- Andre Williams
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